House of Lords Faces Scrutiny Over Paid Roles and Potential Conflicts of Interest

Investigation reveals 91 peers hold paid advisory positions, raising concerns about transparency and public trust.

A Guardian investigation found that over 10% of House of Lords members are paid by commercial companies for political or policy advice.
Critics argue that these roles create potential conflicts of interest, undermining public trust in the unelected chamber.
The investigation highlights weaknesses in the Lords' code of conduct, which permits paid consultancies while prohibiting direct lobbying.
Labour has proposed reforms to the Lords, including reducing its size and increasing transparency, but progress has been slow.
Calls for stricter rules on lobbying and paid employment in the Lords have intensified, with some advocating for a complete ban on such roles.